Baby & Child FAQ's

Only children aged 12 or over or who are over 135cm (4'5") in height (or 150cm in Ireland) can stop using a booster seat. Of course, they must then use adult seatbelts or restraints when travelling in a vehicle.

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In theory, yes, but you'll have to check that your child car seat is compatible with the other car you want to put it into. A safe child car seat rests firmly and securely on the car's seat with barely any forwards or sideways movement. Before you head out in the second car, make sure that the seat can be fitted safely well in advance of the trip, carefully following the manufacturer's instructions.


If the child seat's not safe or won't fit into a different car then you shouldn't use it to transport your child in that car - you'll need to find another child seat.

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Depending on what seat you’re buying, you’ll need to know your child’s height or weight. R44 standard seats are categorized by height, while R129 seats go off your child’s weight. Many seats will give an estimated age to make it easier to decide, but you should refer to your child’s height or weight for the best fit.

You’ll also need to think about which seat provides the most secure fit in your car, whether your baby or child will be taking long or short journeys, and if you'll need to transfer your child car seat from one car to another.

We have over 400 stores nationwide where our colleagues can help you choose the right seat for your child and your car. You can also take a look at our online child seats guide for more information.

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It’s against the law for children under 12 or below 135cm in height (150cm in Ireland) to ride in a car without a car seat. Child car seats, booster seats and booster cushions offer vital protection for a safer journey. Using an adult seatbelt alone puts your child at higher risk of injury in the event of a collision, in comparison to a purpose-built child car seat or booster.

On average, a child travels 5,000 miles a year in a car, which is why it’s so important to ensure your journeys are safe.

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Legally, your child can use a forward-facing car seat once they’re over 9 months old, but most car seat manufacturers recommend waiting until they’re at least 15 months old.

It’s generally recommended that children stay rear facing for as long as possible – until they reach the maximum height or weight for their rear-facing seat – since this position offers more support and protection in the event of an accident.

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We would always advise that you buy a brand-new child seat. Your child’s car seat is vital for keeping them safe in the event of an accident, so it’s important to be sure that your chosen seat is right for the job.

It’s hard to know the exact condition of a second hand child seat, or whether it’s been involved in a collision, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. To ensure that your seat is safe, legal, and suitable for your little one, buying new is best.

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ECE R129 is the latest EU/UK child car seat safety standard. It was first introduced in 2013, and is the recommended standard based on its improved safety testing.

Where the previous ECE R44 standard focuses on a child’s weight, R129 uses their height. R129 car seats also undergo more extensive testing than the previous standard, to ensure they’re as safe as possible.

R44 seats are still safe and legal to use, but from 1st September 2023 the EU will be ensuring that all new seats are R129 compliant. While the UK isn’t adopting this same law, it’s still recommended that you look for a seat that meets the R129 standard, due to its improved safety testing.

You can read more about R129 here.

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Most child and car safety experts recommend that small babies aren’t left in a car seat for longer than two hours at a time, especially when asleep, to avoid any excess risk. This is known as the two hour car seat rule. .

There’s no defined ending to the 2 hour rule - the biggest risk lies with young babies, so around the time when your child can safely sit upright and control their neck more, you can start to embark on longer journeys.

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Children are required to use a car seat (including booster seats) either until they’re 12 years old or 135cm tall (150cm in Ireland), whichever comes first.

To use a high back booster, your child must weigh over 15kg if you’re using an R44 seat or be at least 100cm tall if you’re using an R129 (or i-Size) seat.

Backless booster seats can only be used by children who weigh over 22kg or are taller than 125cm. Until then, they’ll need to use either a booster seat with a back or a standard car seat.

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Once your child is at the legally required weight to use a booster seat (15-36kg or over 100cm tall for a high-back booster and 22kg+ or over 125 cm for a backless booster), they can sit in either the front or the back seat.

However, your child won’t be able to sit in the front if the airbag is active, so it will need to be disabled before you can safely seat them.

However, we don't recommend sitting your child in the front since it increases the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

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Short for the 'International Standards Organisation Fix', ISOFIX is the international standard for child car seat fittings. Since 2014, it’s been mandatory for all new four-seater cars sold in Europe to have at least two ISOFIX points.

Instead of using your car’s seatbelt, ISOFIX seats clip directly into the ISOFIX anchorage points embedded in the seat. The ISOFIX system is easier to install, gives a more secure fit, and reduces the risk of a wrongly fitted seat, helping to keep your child safe.

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